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Flag Alignment

 
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Last Post by Dave Dixon 4 days ago
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 Dave Dixon
Topic starter
Sep 16, 2026 10:57 am
(@dave-dixon)
Eminent Member
Joined: 2 years ago

Some short range benchrest shooters can quickly place their flags in a nice straight line. Not me. So, I have been trialling this idea …

This won’t rank as an earth-shattering technological invention but it may be of use to some bench rest shooters. The idea is to allow a single-handed shooter to set their flags accurately in a straight line AND at the correct height …. simultaneously.

I am calling it a “Flag Alignment Beacon” (FLAB). I have taken an old spotting scope and fitted a small removable torch to the eyepiece. I aim the scope from my bench along the line I want my flags to be positioned. I attach the torch and then go out onto the range, look back toward the scope and place my flags where the beam is the strongest. It is surprisingly easy to do. (I have a step-by-step procedure in the next posting)

I used an old spotting scope because I believe torches can create some heat and any possible effect on lens linings (or whatever) in a valuable scope is not something I would risk without more research.

Warning – I am not an ophthalmic expert in any way so if you try this, IT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. In my opinion it is not a pointer like a laser or a spotlight where it needs to illuminate anything. It is merely a beacon. Notwithstanding, with a strong torch it is easy to flash yourself at close quarters. Yes, I have done it. Not at all funny. This is not a toy. When out on the range you are looking directly back at the “FLAB” so use an appropriately powered torch and possibly some coloured filters for eye comfort. I only turn the torch on when it is pointing down range. My scope will probably be different to yours so you need to do your own research on your scope adjustment, a suitable torch, and whether you need any filters on the distances you are shooting. Don’t risk hurting your own eyes or somebody else’s…. I.E. be careful.

The attached photo shows my FLAB sitting on bench 6 at Silverdale and was taken at the 200 yard line.


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Posts: 9
 Dave Dixon
Topic starter
Sep 16, 2026 11:03 am
(@dave-dixon)
Eminent Member
Joined: 2 years ago

Here is a photo of my old fixed power spotting scope and a small torch attached (aka Flag Alignment Beacon or FLAB)

WARNING: Again, I say if you want to copy any part of what I have done it is at your own risk. Take particular note of the warning in my previous posting. Give this the same respect as your firearms. It is up to you to do your own research and development for your chosen scope and torch.

If you are interested in this concept then here is some more information.

  • Setup: I fabricated a fitting and attached it to the front of a small removable torch. The fitting allows me to easily and securely attach the torch to the eyepiece of my old spotting scope.
  • Focusing: I targeted a wall in my shed to adjust the beam’s size and clarity. I experimented with the distance between the torch and the ocular lens, and also adjusted the scope’s focus until the edges of the projected beam were sharp and "least blurry". This is the setting for the scope I use AFTER I have looked through the scope aiming it along my intended flag line at the range.
  • Flag placement: For a 100 yard flag lay out this is the sequence I use:
    • I place the FLAB on the left hand side of the bench (right handed shooter)
    • I look through the scope and aim it along the line I wish to place my flags (say – aim at the bottom left corner of the target backing board).
    • Walk out to the 40 yard mark. Find the beam centre and erect a flag
    • Walk out to the 100 yard Target and make sure, when looking back at the light, that the 40 yard flag is in aligned with the beam both in height and width.
    • Erect my closest flag to the target (80 yard) making sure the two flags and the beam align both in height and width.
    • Ditto with my 60 yard flag
    • For the 20 yard flag I face the target (not the light) and erect the flag in line with the now existing 40 yard, 60 yard and 80 yard flags. 
  • (For a 200 yard set-up, I just place the initial flag at around 80 yards and work through the same process).

Expanding some points for clarity - It is important that I get the 40 yard flag positioned accurately both in lateral position and in height. This is the only flag where I have to bob around like an idiot finding the beam hot spot. It is then verified by walking out to the 100 yard target and confirming that the “lower corner of the target backing board”, “the top of the 40 yard flag” and the “beam” are all in alignment. The 80 yard flag is then positioned by aligning it with the top of the 40 yard flag and the beam. Ditto the 60 yard flag. With the 20 yard flag I face the target and align the top of the flag with the 60 yard and 80 yard flags. I have walked out once and back once. Easy-peasy. Job done.

If you have alternative ideas to what I have detailed above, or can suggest some improvements, please post them here so we all can benefit. 


This post was modified 4 days ago by Dave Dixon
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